On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Professors Martin Jean and Eben Graves, Director and Assistant Director of Yale Divinity School's Institute of Sacred Music (ISM), paid a courtesy visit to the Provost of the College of Humanities, Professor Joseph Awetori Yaro, at his office.

Yale Divinity School (YDS) is one of the twelve graduate and professional schools of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

The delegation also included distinguished scholars such as Professor Samuel Ntewusu, Director of the Institute of African Studies; Professor Daniel Agbovedor and Dr. Benjamin Amakye-Boateng from the University of Ghana’s Department of Music and Reverend Professor Frederick Amevenku, President of the Trinity Theological Seminary. 

The visit marked the initial steps towards preparation for the ISM’s annual Black Sacred Arts Conference, set to take place for the first time outside the United States at the University of Ghana. This historic event celebrates its 4th anniversary this year.

Professor Samuel Ntewusu highlighted the significance of hosting such a prestigious conference, emphasizing how it would enhance the global reputation of the University of Ghana. Echoing his sentiments, Professor Martin Jean expressed his enthusiasm for extending the conference’s reach to encompass a diverse array of perspectives from across Africa and its Diaspora. Professor Eben Graves further underscored the importance of the conference’s interdisciplinary approach, revealing intentions to broaden its scope with new academic areas.

Provost Yaro welcomed these propositions with great enthusiasm. He recognised the unique opportunity the conference presented for spotlighting often-underexplored research areas and suggested institutionalising the event to ensure its legacy at the University of Ghana.

Reverend Professor Amevenku shared his excitement about the initiative and pledged the Trinity Theological Seminary's commitment to supporting the conference. Dr. Amakye-Boateng also expressed his readiness to contribute, as the themes of the conference align closely with his research interests.

The discussion touched on logistical and funding considerations, with all parties pledging to collaborate and secure resources for the success of the upcoming conference and its future iterations.

To commemorate this memorable visit, Professor Yaro presented the Yale visitors with souvenirs from the University of Ghana.